338 REPORT OP THE FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



interest in the outside world created. An excellent field is open for the general 

 education of the workmen by inviting outsiders to give talks to the men on 

 logging methods in both their own and other regions; on new and improved 

 methods of doing the tasks which daily fall to their lot ; and on the means by 

 which they may increase their own efficiency. While this practice is not com- 

 mon, it is a field which holds out much promise both to the employer and the 

 employe. 



Encouragement of Thrift. 



The average saw mill and woods laborer does not have a tendency towards 

 thrift, nevertheless, it is a well known fact that the workman who has a savings 

 account; or has funds invested is a more steady, satisfied and reliable employe 

 than one who has no financial resources outside of his regular wage. Further, 

 a man with money invested is less subject to influence by labor agitators and 

 organizers. 



The encouragement of men to save some portion of their earnings has led 

 to most satisfactory results at many lumber plants. In some cases savings banks 

 have been encouraged or established and at certain plants in the South, em- 

 ployes have, during the last few years, saved hundreds of thousands. of dollars 

 through this agency. 



In connection with aiding the employes some lumbermen have organized 

 investment companies which are open to the permanent force of workmen. 

 Some form chartered companies and permit employes to purchase as much stock 

 as their resources permit. The funds thus subscribed are invested in safe busi- 

 ness enterprises paying a good rate of interest. In this way men of limited 

 means have been enabled to secure an interest in valuable timber properties and 

 in other business ventures which they would be unable to do when acting in- 

 dividually. 



One company has organized a cooperative investment company with a stated 

 capital stock for which the employes may subscribe at the rate of 2 per cent 

 per month until their subscription is paid up. The lumber company loaned the 

 investment company sufficient funds to inaugurate the work, taking notes of 

 the investment company as security. These notes are retired from the monthly 

 payments made by the stockholders. This lumber company also has a savings 

 department which pays interest on deposits. 



Financial aid of the character outlined above does not in any way savor of 

 charity and in every case has been greatly appreciated by the workmen. Wher- 

 ever a system similar to the above has been established it has proved a potent 

 factor in creating and maintaining a spirit of helpful cooperation between em- 

 ployer and employe. 



Marketing Lumber. 



While it is not proposed to discuss in detail the manufacture or marketing 



of lumber there is one phase of marketing that should receive attention, since 



it has an impotrant bearing on greater efficiency in every department of logging 



and manufacture. . This is the establishment of closer relations between the 



